Electric protective system and apparatus therefor



Feb-. 10, 1931. L KING 2 1,792,310

; ELECTRIC PROTECTIVE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed July 23, 925

7 Sheets-Sheet l Ihven for- Lloyd E y BWQM a my- FeE 10, 1931. L. E. mm; 197923319 ELECTRIC PROTECTIVE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed July 23 1,9215

'7 Sheets-Sheet I5 F'e h. H 1931. L. E. KI NG 1,792,310

ELECTRIC PROTECTIVE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed July 25, 1925 "7 Sheets-Sheet' 4 rmrenior I Lloydflflmgd By M 6 M fliiorney.

Feb. 10, 1931. L. KING 1,792,310

ELECTRIC PROTECTIVE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed July 23, 1923 'r' Sheets-Sheet 5 Am Qwwmwxw Hu 5 /U5 g I I n've'ntar T [By Feb. 10,- 1931. v

ELECTRIC PROTECTIVE SYS L. E. KING 1,792,310

TEM AND APFARATUS'THEREFOR Filed July '25, 92:

7 Sheets-Sheet 6 I m/eniar L20 dELKzvigl By m6 6a? Feb. 10, 1931.

L. E. KING 7 2, A a I 1 ELECTRIC PROTECTIVE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed July 25, 1923 'r Sheets-Shet 7 ITlc V L2oydEHI nyQ J3 iwrzzey Patented Feb. 10, 1931 PATENT OFFICE LLOYD E. KING, OF BERWYN, ILLINOIS ELECTRIC PROTECTIVE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Application filed July 23,

My invention relates to a system for protecting electric circuits generally, whether alternating or direct current and the apparatus connected therewith, from verload, from abnormally high voltage, fro abnormally low voltage, and where the system is amulticonductor system, from unbalanced voltage and current conditions depending upon the requirements of any particular case. By my invention I also provide a system of protection for alternating current circuits for protecting thecircuits and apparatus connected therewith from phase reversal, and where the system is a polyphase system, from unbalanced phase relation and from single phasing. I,

In carrying out my invention I prefer to employ circuit breakers of the type consisting of a separate circuit breaker for each conductor of the circuit protected by my system,

although in the broader aspect of my invention any type of circuit breaker may be employed. Generically, in carrying out my invention the circuit breaker mechanism is provided with one or more tripping coils, dependingupon the abnormal conditions to be guarded against, for example if the system is to be protected only from overload, but one tri 'ng coil is required for each circuit .ng mechanism; again if the system is to protected from overload and from unlanced voltage conditions an additional ripping coil is provided on the circuit breaker mechanism; again, if the system is to be protected against overload, against unbalanced voltage conditions and against abnormally high or abnormally low voltage conditions, a second additional tripping coil is provided in connection with the circuit breaking mechanism. Generally speaking the circuit breaking mechanism is provided with a tripping coil for each particular condition against which protection is to be secured, in addition to the tripping coils for securing overload protection.

More specifically, particularly where a unit circuit breaker construction is provided in each conductor of the system to be protected, 11 first tripping coil is provided in connection with each circuit breaker mechanism, enerpnd conductor operates the circuit breaker in 1923. Serial No. 653,200.

"coils of the several circuit breakers to the gaps in the conductors opened by the overload con- 00 dition, being in a closed series relation,-that is to say a gap in a first conductor of the series operates a second breaker producing a gap in a second conductor, the gap in the seca third conductor producing a gap in it and so on depending u on the number of circuits protected and final y a ga in the last conductor trips the circuit brea er in thefirst conductor, thus causing operation of all of the circuit breakers one after another and resulting in completely disconnecting the protected lines and connected apparatus from the supply line. In carrying out my protective system the initial gap or ga s referred to, in a conductor or conductors o the protective systerm may result from the blowing of a fuse or fuses in the conductors of the protected circuit, or the operation of fuse substitutes in oneway or another. By my invention I provide a type of fuse substitute ada ted among other uses, to the actuating of e ectric contacts when an abnormal current flows through the energizing element of the overload device; the contacts controlled by the overload device, by their operation under overload conditions, control the operation of a tripping coil on one of the unit circuit breakers connected in a desired one of the conductors of the system to control its continuity, thus trip- 90 ping the said circuit breaker and producing a gap in the corresponding conductor at that point; a gap produced in the first conductor operates a tripping coil on the next circuit breaker in the series and, in the manner above 05 described, causes the operation of all of the circuit breakers of the protective system. one after another, to entirely disconnect the protected circuit from the line wires, In using overload devices in place of fuses it will 100 be understood that an overload device is connected with each conductor of the system to be protected thereby.

The abnormally high voltage and abnormally low voltage protection referred to may be secured by the use of protective devices similar to the overload devices above mentioned, the particular difference being the adjustment of the electric contacts controlled by the protective device so that the tripping circuit controlled by the protective device is actuated either when an abnormally high voltage or an abnormally low voltage is impressed upon the energizing winding of the protective device as the case may be, it being understood that said protective device has its energizing winding connected with the points of the circuit, between which the difference 01 potential is to be maintained by the device, within desired limits, andthat as many of the protective devices may be employed as there are voltages in the system to be maintained within desired limits, whether said limits are the same or dilferent for the several voltages. It Will also be understood that the tripping circuit controlled by each protective device under these conditions, ac-tuates one of the unit circuit breakers to open one of the conductors involved in the abnormal voltage conditions; also that where the circuit breakers are in addition connected for overload protection in the manner above described, they are actuated one after another, to separate the protected line and connected apparatus from the supply wires; it will also be under stood that the circuit breaker actuated by the operation of the abnormal voltage protective device, may be employed to open any desired circuit of the protected apparatus. In a manner similar to that described, my system is adapted for protecting a system of conductors and apparatus from abnormally low current flow in the system by providing the protective device with an energizing winding suitable for connect-ion in series with a conductor of the protected system and arranging the'contacts of the protective device so that they are actuated to control a tripping circuit of a circuit breaker, when the current flowing through the conductor and energizing winding is lower than a predetermined amount. In this case a protective device is employed preferably in each conductor of the protected system, connecting the system with the line conductors, and the tripping coils of the circuit breakers are connected as above described in connection with the voltage protection system.

In some cases it is important in a multi conductor system, that the voltage between one pair of conductors shall be the same as the voltage between another pair of conductors, and so on throughout the system, to secure proper operation of the apparatus of the system. For systems of this kind, I provide a protection against unbalanced voltage conditions by means of a circuit controlling mechanism having a plurality of energizing windings, one for each of the voltage conditions to be maintained in said windings being arranged to produce effects opposing each other, so that the resultant elfectof all of said energizing windings upon a contact controlling mechanism is Zero or substantially so, when a condition of balanced voltages exists, for which condition the contact actuating mechanism does not operate. IVhen, however, the voltages become unbalanced, the contact actuating mechanism is operated by the unbalanced action of the energizing coils, and a tripping coil on one of the circuit breakers of the system is actuated by the contacts of the protective device, to release the circuit breaker, and thus in the manner above described actuate all of the circuit breakers of the system, one after another, assuming that the system is provided with overload protection of the kind above described. Similarly, in connection with some electric systems, it is desirable to maintain equal current flow in several conductors of the system to be protected, and to insure this I provide a protective device similar to the unbalanced voltage device, the difference being that the energizing windings are proportioned to be connected in series with the conductors of the system in which the currents flowing are to be maintained substantially equal, instead of between the conductors of the system, as in the case of the unbalanced voltage device.

In connection with alternating current Working, and particularly in connection with polyphase electric systems, a condition frequently arises which is dangerous to the apparatus and against which it is desirable to provide adequate protection. This is where the polyphase circuit is used to operate polyphase apparatus having windings in inductive relation to each other, a part of the windings or conductors being connected with each phase. With such a system, where for any reason a fuse or equivalent overload device in one conductor is blown or opened, it frequnet- 1y occurs that theprotective devices in the other conductors do not operate, and, for example with a three phase system, although the conductor of one of the phases is interrupted and as to that phase there is phase failure, the remaining conductors are operative to supply current to the polyphase apparatus, and on account of the inductive relation of the windings or conductors, a distorted operation of the apparatus continues which is commonly known as single phasing. In many cases this distorted operation is dangerous to the apparatus and to protect the apparatus in this case, all of the supply circuits of the system must be disconnected in a balanced relation,

luU

positive and reliable manner from the, line conductors, when any one of the overload devices is operated to disconnect the corresponding conductor from the line wire. It will be observed that my system of protection, consisting of circuit breakers and tripping coils connected as referred to above, affords an ideal protection against this danger, since as above described, the forming of a gap or break in any supply conductor leading to the protected apparatus, results in operating the circuit breakers one after another until all of the supply circuits leading to said apparatus are opened. It will further be observed that where a polyphase system is to be protected and transformers are used between the generator and the protected circuit, a single phasing condition may occur on the generator side of the transformers that will not be manifested as a single phasing condition on the secondary side of' the transformers, and yet that the danger to the protected system may be great as a result of the resulting unbalanced and distorted voltage and current conditions in the protected apparatus.

To protect against this condition, the unbalanced voltage or unbalanced current devices above described may be employed to advantage to disconnect the protected system from the line wires. Again, an unbalanced voltage or current condition may be produced locally between the circuits of the system from a variety of causes, for example loose connections, resulting in a dangerous condition of operation and the unbalanced voltage and unbalanced current devices provide protection against these conditions. A further feature of protection afforded by my system, is protection for alternating current circuits against phase reversal, which is accomplished by the provision of a device having a tendency to rotate in one direction for proper phase relationship of the several phases, said device having a tendency to rotate in the op posite direction, if one of the phases of alternating current is reversed. The energizing windings of the device are connected with the system to be protected and the reversal of the tendency to rotate, is made use of to control electric contacts employed to actuate a tripping coil on one of the circuit breakers of ,the system, the opening of said circuit breaker preferably operating in the manner above described to effect the opening of the remaining circuit breakers, one after another, to open all of the supply circuits to the protected apparatus.

Instances requiring protection from overload are well known, and the need for this protection may result in any case where a motor depends upon a counter electromotive force factor to protectits windings from abnormal flow, and is slowed down by the application of too reat a load; other common instances requiring overload protection of this kind, if the voltage on the supply conductors for any reason becomes abnormally low or is reduced to Zero, and subsequently full voltage is supplied to the supply conductors from the source of supply, the operated apparatus is not in condition to withstand the abnormal rush of current. same is true in connection with protection from low current or no current. This species of protection is also important in elevator systems, where the voltage impressed uponv the elevator motor is effective in holdin V the brake of the motor in released condition, since the voltage generated by the motor itself, with the motor cut oiffrom the line,

may readily be sufiicient to operate the brake releasing mechanlsm and produce damage,'

particularly where the motor is driven at abnormally high speeds by the descending elevator, as sometimes occurs under these conditions. Protection against unbalanced voltage is desirable in any case where operated apparatus is supplied with current from a multiconductor circuit, for example in a three wire direct current system with distribution circuits operating electrical apparatus through two separate circuits from the supply conductors and also other apparatus through a single circuit from the neutral conductor and one of the outside conductors of the supply circuit; also in connection with any operated apparatus, where a plurality of circuits in an actuated device, particularly an alternating current motor, operate simultaneously and necessarily in balanced relation, to produce the contemplated operation of the apparatus. This species df protection is particularly indicated, where the appa ratus is designed for operation on constant voltage. Unbalanced current protection is desirable where the operated apparatusis supplied with current from a multiconductor suppl circuit where the apparatus is designe to operate with e ual currents flowing through its several circuits, whether the current flow is alternatin or direct.

In connection wit alternating current working, protection against single phasing is important where the operated apparatus is designed for simultaneous operation by currents of different phases and where for one reason or another there may be a failure of one of the phases, resulting in unbalanced operation of the apparatus through the remaining phase or phases, whether by inductive action the winding corresponding with the phase that has failed, are operative or not. Unbalanced voltage and unbalanced The current protection are desirable in alternating current workin under the conditions indicated generally zibove and also where the unbalanced voltage or current conditions may result from primary phase failure in systems employing transformers, particularly where the primary phase failure may result in an unbalanced condition not strictly that of phase failure in the secondary circuits. Phase reversal protection is desirable generally in alternating current working with a polyphase system, to protect the operated apparatus from conditions that would result from the improper connecting of the line or supply wires of the system in the event of the supply wires being broken by storms or any other reason.

In carrying out my system of protection, I prefer to use a circuit breaker construction of the single pole type, each provided with its own tripping mechanism and my present invention includes a construction of this kind in which provision is made for blowing out the are due to the opening of the breaker contacts and I also preferably provide auxiliary devices for maintaining the tripping coil circuit in closed condition until after the main breaker circuits are opened, which then operate to open the tripping coil circuit. By my construction I further provide a circuit breaker unit capable of as ready insertion in and removal from the circuit, as the modern well known enclosed fuses; furthermore its construction is relatively simple, facilitating the use of spare circuit breakers, so that the circuit breakers may readily be removed and replaced by the spare circuit breakers without interrupting the service, to the end that the circuit breakers may be frequently inspected and kept in perfect working condition.

By my invention I also provide an rmproved form of fuse substitute b which electric contacts may be closed by t e efiect of abnormal current flow, these devices having the advantage of reliability of operation and adjustability, to insure the operation of the device at precisely the desired degree of abnormal current flow. These devices further have the advantage over fuses, that they may be repeatedly used without renewal and thus insure reliability of operation even though repeatedly used, and that they completely eliminate all devices requiring renewal, all connections being of a permanent nature. As illustrated below in connection with the drawings, these devices may be operated either by the electromagnetic efiect of the current or by the heating efiect thereof, as desired.

By my present invention I also provide devices responsive to abnormally high or abnormally low current or voltage, in which contacts are provided to be closed when the current or voltage applied to the device reaches a predetermined maximum or minimum value, the devices being constructed so that the limiting values for which the device will operate may be adjusted and fixed within any desired limits. For example, the high voltage or current protection secured by the device may either be substantially the same as secured by the overload device above referred to, or if desired in any particular case, the high voltage or current efiective in operating the device may be within the values commonly recognized as proper ones for overload protection. Similarly, the low current or voltage protection secured by these devices may be either of a desired margin, however great, below normal voltage or current for any particular case, or sufliciently low so as to get protection of this kind only on conditions of substantially no voltage or current.

By my present invention I also provide an improved device for responding to unbalanced voltage conditions,.in which the several voltages of the system operate upon the device to normally produce balanced effects upon the operated parts of the device when the voltages are in balanced relation, and to produce unbalanced eflects upon the operated parts when the voltages of the system are unbalanced for any reason, with the result that for any condition of unbalanced efl'ect upon the operated parts they are operated and close or open as the case may be, a control circuit actuating the circuit breaker mechanism. By my invention I also provide an improved mechanism similar to the unbalanced voltage controlling mechanism for responding to unbalanced current conditions, the operation of which is in a general way similar to the operation of the unbalanced voltage mechanism and which for any condition of unbalanced currents impressed upon the mechanism actuates the operated devices of the mechanism to either close or open a control circuit as the case may be, to actuate the circuit. breaker mechanism. By my invention I also provide an improved means for controlling a cirv cuit breaker tripping coil circuit, upon reversal of any one of the phases of a polyphase system by which currents from the several phases actuate the device in a manner to maintain the operated parts of the mechanism in a condition either opening or closing as the case may be, the control circuit extending to the circuit breaking mechanism, depending upon whether the control circuit is normally closed or normally open and requires an opening of the circuit or a closing of the circuit to actuate the circuit breaking mechanism. With this device, if the action of the current from one of the phases is reversed, the operated parts are moved in a direction to render the control circuit efiective to actuate the circuit breaker mechanism.

My invention therefore contemplates the use of circuit breaker mechanism, preferably of the unit type, in each conductor of the system to be protected, that must be opened to afford protection of the kind desired to the system, said circuit breaker mechanism being of a type permitting the use of a plurality of tripping coils, the actuation of any one of which will operate the circuit breaker; also the interrelating of a series of said tripping coils, one for each conductor to be opened in protecting the system and connected so that each is associated with one of said conductors and is actuated by forming a break or gap in another of said conductors, whether said break or gap results from the blowing of a fuse in the latter conductor, or the operation of a circuit breaker connected in circuit with said. latter conductor, and whether the operation of said circuit breaker actuates said tripping coil circuit solely as a result of its connection to the terminals of said break or gap. or, on the other hand said actuation results from some other ecies of electrical or me chanical control 0 said tripping coil circuit by said circuit breaker, this arrangement re sulting in actuating the series of tripping coils, one after another, when a break or gap is formed as and with the results stated, in any of the conductors of the system protected by said series of tripping coils; also the use of protective devices affording protection of various kinds to the system and at least one circuit breaker tripping coil for actuation by each specific protective device, whether said tripping coil is also used for another rotective purpose or provided solely for a ording specific protection resulting from the operation of said specific protective device also the use as a part of the protective system, of a circuit breaker tripping coil, whether used for another protective purpose or solely for this specific purpose, for actuation by manual means from any desired point or points, whether near the protected system or remote from it also that the function of each specific protective device is to actuate a control circuit extending to a corresponding tripping coil of the circuit breaker mechanism, said actuation p terabiy resulting from closing said control circuit or impressing a suitable voltage npon it, although I consider control circuits for the purpose mentioned, which if the normally closed. or energized type r "e opened to actuate the connected ap- 55 par-ates to he the equivalent of normally open or unenergized control circuits; also that the said protective devices may be actuated by current or voltage conditions in a first set of conductors and operate circuit breaker no mechanism controlling the same or another set of conductors, as desired; also that said tripping coils may be supplied with actuating current from a first set of conductors and opcrate circuit breaker mechanism controlling the same or another set of conductors, as deof alternating current system, however many phases may be involved; and that in any case as much or as little of my complete protective system and apparatus may be employed, as desired in that particular case.

Myinvention will. best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments thereof, in which Fig. 1 shows in vertical longitudinal, sectional view my improved circuit breaking mechanism, this view being taken along the line 1-1 in Fig. 2,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of my improved circuit breaking mechanism,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of my circuit breaking mechanism in its released condition.

Fig. 4 is a vertical, sectional view of my improved overload mechanism,

Fig. 5 shows in a view similar to Fig. 4, a construction of control mechanism for actuating a control circuit at a predetermined high or predetermined low voltage or current impressed upon the mechanism,

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 5 taken along the line 1212,

Fig. 7 is a top view of a mechanism for actuating a control circuit, for unbalanced conditions of voltages between or currents in-the conductors of a multiconductor system,

Fig. 8 shows in front elevation and partially in section, the mechanism shown in Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a modified construction of a mercury contact mechanism for use with actuating mechanism of the type shown in Fig.5.? and 8,with the exception that this construction is for use with two circuits,

Fig. 10 shows in front elevation the parts .shown in Fig. 9,

Fig. ll is a diagrammatic view of a polyphase alternating current system equipped no with overload fuses and my unit circuit breaker construction,

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of .a polyphase electric system provided with overload devices of the kind shown in Fig. 4 for operating unit circuit breakers of my construction, provided also with the unbalanced current mechanism shown in Figs. 7 and 8, and provided also with phase reversal protecno tive mechanism,

Fig. 13 shows in a view similar to Fig. 12 a similar electric system provided with similar protecting devices, with the exception that in this case the system is provided with an unbalanced voltage protecting device, instead of an unbalanced current protecting device as shown in Fig. 12,

Fig. 14 shows in a view similar to Fig. 13 a. similar electric system for two phase opera- V the ring 13. The tripping coil 14 may consist tion, instead of three phase operation as shown in Fig. 13,

Fig. 15 shows in a view similar to Fig. 2, a modified form of circuit breaker mechanism using a plurality of tripping coil circuit breaking mechanisms instead of but one of the latter mechanisms as shown in Figs.

1 and 2,

Fig. 16 is a bottom view of the construction shown in Fig. 15,

Fi 17 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner in which a multipole circuit breaker may be used with my improved system, said circuit breaker having common operating mechanisn and a single releasing device which may be provided with a plurality of tripping coils, and

Fig. 18 is a dia ammatic view illustrating a modified circuit breaker mechanism that ma be. used with my improved system, in which said mechanism comprises unit circuit breakers and interlocking releasing devices actuated by a single tripping device that may be provided with a plurality of tripping coils.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown in Figs. 1-3 inclusive my unit circuit breaker construction consists of a tube 10 of insulating material in which a metal plunger 11 is mounted to move longitudinally. The tube 10 carries at one end an outer metallic sleeve 12 having its outer end inturned to form a main contact or contacts 12a of the device, engaged by the plunger 11 in its set position. The inner end of the contact 12a carries a ring 13 of refractory conducting material, for example carbon, extending beyond the end of the contact, so that the break in the circuit, when the plunger 11 is withdrawn from the contact. is between the end of the plunger and the ri 13. The end of the plunger as indicated at 11a is chamfered somewhat, so that the principal arcing that occurs will be between the extreme end of the plunger and the ring 13, and thus the pitting that would otherwise occur on the main contact surface of the plunger, is restricted to the end portion and does not roughen the contact portion ofthe plunger.

The sleeve 12 has mounted thereon and insulated therefrom a tripping coil 14 with its outer end nearly in the plane of the end of the tube 10 which is adjacent the arcing plane of of one or more sections, each capable of releasing the circuit breaker mechanism, as will be described below. The coil 14 is provided with heads 14a of magnetic material, for example soft iron, to act upon the armature 15, also of magnetic material, in a manner to be described. The other end of the tube 10 has mounted therein a metal sleeve 16 in slidin contact with the plunger 11 to constitute the other main contact of the device.

The sleeve 16 is provided with an outer end flange which is extended to form a bracket 17 serving as a support for the pivot 18 of the arm 19 carrying the armature 15, serving also by its rearward extension to formaconnecting and mounting clip or clips 20, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3, and also serving to in part support, by means of an annular flange 21 carried thereby, an auxiliary breaker to be described. The sleeve 12 carries on its outer end a second metal sleeve 22 closed at its outer end and perforated as indicated at 22a and having a lateral extension or extensions 23 to form a connecting and mounting clip'or clips for the device. The clips and 23 by their electrical connection with the contacts 16 and 12a respectively, constitute the main connections of the circuit breaker to the circuit to be protected thereby, and these clips may engage suitable bolts or jaws connected with the conductors forming part of the protected circuit, as a result of which the device as a whole may be readily connected in the circuit and readily removed therefrom as may be necessary or desirable. These clips may have any convenient form and construction, the only desiderata being that they shall make good contact with the terminals of the protected circuit and be capable of ready connection therewith and ready disconnection therefrom.

The plunger 11 has rigidly connected with its lower end, a laterally extending arm 24, preferably of metal, and between the said arm and the outer end of the contact sleeve 16, the plunger carries a metal sleeve 25 provided at its outer end with a flange 25a engaging one end of a spring 26, the other end of which rests against the flanged outer end of the contact sleeve 16. The flanged end 25a is GK- tended on one side of the. plunger, to form a support for a pivotal connection 27 engaging one end of a first link 28, which is pivotally connected at its other end, as indicated at 29, with one end of a second link 30, the other end of which is pivotally connected at 31 with a downwardly projecting arm 32 carried by the bracket 17. For the closed position of the circuit breakershown in Fig. 1, the plunger 11 is in engagement with the contact 12a, the spring 26 is compressed, and the links 28 and occupy a position preventing the spring from moving the plunger out of the contact 12a, since the line of pull through the pivotal connections 27 and 29 is slightly to the right, for the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1, of the pivotal connection 31. The links 28 and 30 are prevented from moving around to the right, for the position of the parts shown in Fig. 1, by a suitable stop. which, as shown, may conveniently consist of an ear 32a bent from the edge portion of the arm 32. The arm 19 is extended beyond its pivotal support 18, and the said extension carries an arm 33 having a bent end or book 33a, nearly or quite in engagement with the upper end portions oi? the links 28 and 30 for the position of the parts shown in F ig. 1. The arm 19 and the armature are held in the position indicated. in Fig. 1, by a spring 34 between the lower ex tension of the arm 19 and the arm 32, and outward motion of the armature 15 away from the tripping coil, is limited by a stop 35 car ried by the lower end of the extension of the arm 12, which rests against the edge of the arm 32.

As a result of the construction thus far described, when the armature 15 is drawn towards the magnetic heads 14a of the tripping coil, by energization of the coil, the bent end 330; of the arm 83, moves the upper ends of the links 28 and 30 to the left sufliciently to move the line of pull on the link 28, through the pivotal connections 27 and 29, to the left of the pivotal connection 31, thus releasing the locking condition of the links and permitting expansion of the spring 26 to move the sleeve 25, and therefore the plunger 11, downwardly to the position indicated in Fig. 3. This movement, it will be understood, takes place very quickly and produces a quick break in the circuit between the lower inner edge of the ring 18 and the extreme upper er 1c of the chamfered portion 11a of the pl ec 11, thus reducing arcing to a minimum. Any arcing that occurs at this is further reduced, or entirely suped. by the magnetic action of the tripcoil which is effective as a magnet c ulUVl'f/lll due to its rela i n to th. breaking .0 o p int. or the mechanism. The ciri the tripping coil is maintained paration of the end of the plungring 13, to secure the magnetic out eiiect referred to, and the circuit ping coil is subsequently broken means of the following construction. A second tube of insulating material 36 is supported at its lower end, for the position of the parts shown in 1, by the annular flange 21 and at its upper end by a clip 37 secured to lower head 14a of the tripping coil. lhe tube 86 contains therein a freely movable metal rod 38 engaging a tubular contact 39 at its upper end when the rod 38 is in the position shown in Fig. 1. The contact 3.) is of the same general construction as the contact 12a and is rigidly supported by the upper end. of the tube 36. The upper end of the tubefili is also provided with a cap 40, preterably of insulating material, to protect the parts. The end wall of the cap 40 is preterably perforated and a perforated disc 41 is shown bctwecnthe cap and the outer end of the contact 39. to prevent the projection outwardly from the auxiliary breaker, of any flames or burning gases that may be produced by it. The sleeve 22 also holds between its end and the end of the contact 12a. a similar perforated disc 42 for securing the same result with the main breaker. The upper end of the rod 38 is preferably chamfered for the same reason described above for the chamfered portion 11a of the plunger 11. The tube 36 carries a second contact 43 at its lower end, which is in sliding engagement with the rod 38. Provision is made on the contact 48 for connecting the same by a wire 44 with a tripping circuit, and the lower end of the contact 43 and the said connection are preferably enclosed by a protecting cap 45 of insulating material. The upper con tact of the auxiliary breaker is connected by a wire 46 with one terminal of the tripping coil 14, and the other terminal of the tripping coil is connected with a Wire 47 to form the other connection with the tripping circuit.

The rod 38 has ri idly secured to its lower end a rod48 of insulating material provided near its upper end with an arm 49 engaging one end of a spring 50, the other end of which is connected with a rod 51 having a bent lower end 5102, said rod 51 extending loosely through an aperture provided therefor in the arm 24. The rod 48 is rigidly secured at its lowerend to a metal rod 52 provided at its upper end with a flange 53 and at its lower end with a flange 54, said rod 52 extending with a sliding fit through a suitable aperture therefor in the outer end of the arm 24..

As a result of the construction described, operation of the auxiliary breaker is effected as follows: When the spring 26 moves the plunger 11 from the upper contact 12a, the arm 24 moves freely on the rods 51 and 52 and at this time the spring is under no tension. After the upper end of the plunger 11 has left the ring 13, or at about the time it leaves the ring 13, the bent end 510! of the rod 51 is engaged by the arm 24 and further movement outwardly of the arm 24 places the spring 50 under tension which condition continues until the arm 24 engages the flange 24. The engagement of the arm 24 with the flange 54. as a result of the arm 24 being in rapid motion at the time, produces a hammer blow effect on the rod and therefore on the rod 38, to start the rod 38 in motion downwardly against the friction of the contacts engaging it. and when the rod 38 leaves the contact 39. the spring 50 operates to move the rod 38 rapidly from the end of the contact 39, thus quickly breaking the circuit of the tripping coil, the current tlowing in which may be made relatively small in any event by properly proportioning the windings. The flange 53 prevents the rod 38 from being drawn too far from the tube 36 and also serves to more the rod 38 back to the position shown in Fig. 1 when the arm 24 is raised to close the contacts of the main circuit breaker, thus insuring the do sure of the contacts of the auxiliary breaker,

every time that the contacts of the main breaker are closed.

It will be noted that for the closed condition of the contacts of the circuit breaker, the flanged end 25a of the sleeve 25 is somewhat above the upper surface of the arm 24, the amount of this separation being de termined by a headed stud or studs c tending through a clearance opening or openings therefor in the arm 24 and secured to the flanged head 25a of the sleeve 25. The stud or studs 55 thus serve to prevent undue separation between the arm 24 and sleeve 25 and the separation referred to provides that the sleeve 25 shall impart a hammer blow to the arm 24 when the main circuit breaker is released and thus effect a positive beginning of the movement of the plunger 11 in the contact 12a against its frictional engagement with said plunger.

The arm 32 is shown as extended downwardly to form a bracket 32?) supporting normally separated, insulated contacts 320 and 32d, which are broi'ight into engagement by the arm 25a for the open position of the cir cuit breaker, for a purpose to be described.

After the tripping coil has been actuated and the parts have moved to the position indicated in Fig. 3, opening both the main circuit and the tripping coil circuit, the circuit breaker may readily be reset. or moved to the position shown in Fig. 1, by raising the arm 24 and moving the pivotal connection 29 outwardly and around to the right relatively to the pivot connection 31, until the ends of the links 28 and 30 adjacent the pivotal connection 29, rest against the stop 32a in close proximity to the bent end 33a of the arm 33.

In carrying out my invention, I find it desirable in many cases to provide a plurality of windings in the tripping coil of the circuit breaker construction above described, for use as hereinafter described. In certain of these cases, as hereinafter illustrated, I find that a single auxiliary breaker may be employed in a common conductor forming a part of the circuits of all of said windings, in which cases, the circuit breaker construction shown in Fig. 1 may be employed. In other connections, also hereinafter illustrated, I find it desirable to provide circuits for said windings, that are electrically distinct and separate from each other. For the uses last referred to, I modiiy the construction of circuit breaker as shown in Figs. 15 and 16, to provide an auxiliary breaker for each of said separate circuits. in this construction, one of the magnetic heads of the tripping coil, as shown at 14?), is extended to support by a clip 37a, two auxiliary breakers having caps 40a, 40?), said auxiliary breakers being supported at their other ends by a flange 21a, similar to the flange 21, and provided at said other ends with caps @505, 452?. The windings are provided with terminal wires in the same manner shown in connection with Fig. 1, one terminal wire for each auxiliary breaker being shown at 44a, 44?). This modified construction is provided with an arm 2-la for cn gaging spring ends 51?), 510 and flanges 54a, 54b for the two auxiliary breakers respectively, in the same manner that the arm 24 engages the spring end 51a and the flange 54 in the construction of Fig. 1. Each auxiliary breaker is of the same construction and opcrates in the same manner as shown and described in connection with Fig. 1 and the construction and operation of the main breaker is the same as described above in connection with Fig. 1. The relation of the arm 24a to the auxiliary breakers is the same as described above for the construction shown in Fig. 1 and insures the closing of both auxiliary breakers each time that the main breakcr is closed. In the same manner, the circuit breaker mechanism may be provided with any desired number of auxiliary breakers to meet the requirements of any particular case.

lin carrying out my invention I find it desirable to use fuse substitutes instead of fuse links of any kind as overload protection devices, for the reason that they may be repeatedly used, and they may be held accurately set for any desired load current, it being understood that these devices constitute broadly, control means for opening a circuit when the current flowing therein reaches a deter-" mined amount. 1 illustrate different types of these devices in Figs. 46 inclusive of the drawin s.

As s own in Fig. 4, my overload device consists of a tube surrounded by an actusting coil 61 in which the tube may be moved axially to secure desired adjustment of the device, as indicated in dotted lines showing a position of the coil 61 relatively to the tube 60, difiering from that shown in full lines. T he tube 60 is preferably provided with end caps 62 and 63 for protecting the tube and retaining it in the coil 61, and has extending through its ends, terminals 64 and 65 for inclusion in a control circuit extending from the device. The tube 60 is of insulating material, preferably glass, and within it, there is disposed a tubular core 66 of magnetic material, for example iron, provided in its lower end with perforations 66a and carrying mediately below its lower end a disc 6?, also perforated as indicated at iii o and secured to the lower end of the tube 86 and in spaced relation therefrom by a stud 68. The tube 60 contains-a liquid conductor, for example mercury, as indicated at 69 of sutiicient amount so that the tube 66 floats therein with its upper end within the lower portion of the coil 61. The upper end of the tube 66 can ries a cu 70 containin li uid conductor for example mercury, as indicated at 'Zl, in a position below the contact 64: for ad condiuel current flow through coil ation the device 11% described as follows, assuming the relation of the parts shown in Fig. 1 to correspond with normal current flow through the coil 01, or that the tube is raised but slightly from the posi ion indicated in Fig. 4. for normal cu -t w; the magnetic ellect produced coil 61 when increased by increase rentllow, produces a greater lifting oil the tube 66, than is produced upon 0 1 current flow and when the our the coil 51 reaches a predeterg value for which the device is me its control, the liquid 71 is suincienlily to make contact with terminal thus establishing electrical con nection between the terminals 64 and 6:5 through the liquid 71, the cup 70, the tube 00, and the liquid 00. i lie disc 0?, which preferably provided with an upturned edge as indicated, and the perforations one and We serve to prover mmediate response of the de rial rush of current, tions the tendency is for the tube 66 and the disc 67 to lift the liquid contained in them instead of only liftlog the tube and disc in the liquid. In this a time element is introduced into the op erution of the device, insuring that it shall not malts contact between the terminals G l and in the event the abnormal current flow is of so short duration as to do no harm to the connected apparatus. On the other hand, in the event the abnormal current flow is maintained for an a preciable interval, the tube 66 is raised slowly, but certainly, to bring the liquid 71 into engagement with the terminal 64 to secure the contemplated operation of the control circuit. It will further be observed that the predetermined excess current flow above normal current flow through the coil 61, for which the device will close its control circuit, may be accurately set and maintained even Where the abnormal current value is but slightly in excess of the normal current Value.

i Vhile 1 have described the construction. shown in Fig. 41 as effective in protecting a desired circuit from an abnormal increase in current flow in which case the winding 61 is proportioned and wound for series c0nneclion in the circuit to be protected, the some devices may be employed with equal effect to protect a desired circuit against an abnormal voltage increase by proportioning the winding 61 to withstand the normal voltage of the circuit and connecting said winding between the conductors of the circuit between which the voltage is to be maintained below a predetermined maximum value.

in Figs. and 6 I show a construction 01 mechanism for protecting desired circuits and apparatus from abnormally high and abnou molly low current flow or voltage, depending upon how the actuating coil of the device is wound and coi'mected. In this construction the device is provided with. an actuating coil 100 through which a tube 101 of insulating material, for example glass, extends, the tube bcin; substantially the same as the tube shown in Fig. 4; and the relation of the actuating coil to the tube being similar to that shown between the actuating coil 01 and the tube in Fig. 4. The tube 101 is provided with a lower terminal 102 and an upper terminal 103 of conducting material projecting through the ends of the tube and in electrical connection with protecting ca ps 104: and 105 carried by the ends of the tube. The upper terminal 103 is branched on its inner end to form two contacts 103a and 1035, the former being axially disposed and the latter extendin; adjacent the inner side wall of the tube 101. Tile tube 101 contains liquid conductor, for example mercury, as indicated at 100 and in the liquid conductor a float of magnetic material. for example iron, is disposed as indicated at 10?. The float 107 is provided at its upper end with a cup 107a containing liquid conductor, for example mercury as indicated at 108. On its outer suriace the float 107 is grooved longitudinally as indicated at 1076, said grooves being lined with insulilting material 109 so that the contact 1036 may extend into one of said grooves without making electrical contact with the float 107. The float 107 carries at its lower end perforated disc 110 secured in spaced relation to the end of the float by a central stud l'll, said disc preferably having upwardly and downwardly projecting edge flanges as indicated. The parts of the device are so proportioned, and the level of the liquid conductor 106 is so taken, that under normal conditions of current flowing; through the actuating winding 100, the contacts 103a and 1037) will be out of contact with the liquid conductors 108 and 106 respectively. For this relation of the parts, with normal current flow through the winding 100, the float extends some distance above the upper end of the coil 100 and its lower end is just within the lower end of said coil. h now the current flowing through the coil 100 decreases to a predetermined value lowcr than the normal value, the magnetic pull on the float 107 is decreasec sufficiently to permit it to rise until the contact 103a makes electrical connection with the conductor 108. thus closing the control circuit extending from the terminals 102 and 103. (hi the other hand if the current flowing through the coil 100 is increased above. its normal value until a predetermined high value of current is reached, the magnetic pull on the float 107 is increased thus drawing it dl'iwnwardly in the liquid conductor 106, for which condition the displaced liquid con ductor 100 rises around the float until it makes electrical Contact with the contact 1036, thus closing the control circuit extending from the terminals 102 and 103. It will be understood, that by changing the relation of the parts shown in Fig. 5, so the float 107 is normally below the coil 100, an abnormal increase of current flow will raise the float and close the control circuit through the contact 103a, and an abnormal decrease of current flow will permit the float to corres ondingly sink and close the control circuit t rough the contact 103?).

The device just described may be constructed to actuate the control circuit for abnormally high and lowcurrent values in the protected circuit by so winding the coil 100 that it may be included in series in said circuit and the same device may be employed to protect a circuit against abnormally low and abnormally high voltage by winding the coil 100 so that it may be connected between the conductors of the circuit to be protected and subjected'to the voltage between said conductors.

It will be noted that the disc 110 extends nearly to the inner surface of the tube 101, as a result of which motion of the disc either upwardly or downwardly in the liquid conductor, is retarded and a time element of operation is introduced determined by the amount of clearance between the disc and the tube 101 and the size of the apertures through the disc. In this manner closure of the control circuit is prevented for either a momentary increase or a momentary decrease of current flow from its normal value, although the same amount'of change of flow might be suflicient, if maintained, to cause a closure of the control circuit.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I show a construction of device adapted to protect desired circuits against unbalanced current flow through the several conductors of the circuit or from unbalanced voltages ,between the several conloosely connected at their upper ends with a rocking plate 144 having a central support 145 at the upper end of a column 146 supported by the stationaryportion of the mecha nism, said support 145 permitting a.rock1 ng movement of the plate 144 in any direction and comprising preferably a ball and socket joint having a retaining plate 145a for preventing upward movement of the plate 144 at its central portion away from the column 146. The plate 144 is engaged by similar, equally mastic spaced springs 14'? extending upwardly from said plate and connected at their upper ends with a bracket 148 supported by the base of the device. The springs 147 serve to hold the plate 144 in a horizontal plans when no pull is exerted on the rods 141, 142 and 143 by the corresponding actuating windings. The plate 144 supports an annular, closed receptacle 149 having a spherical bottom Wall and provided on the outer portion of the inner surface of said bottom wall with two annular contacts 150 and 151 extending completely around the receptacle. Conducting wires 152 extend through the wall of the receptacle and make contact inside of the receptacle with the ring contacts 150 and 151. The receptacle 149 contains a small quantity of liquid conductor 153 which, for a horizontal position of the plate 144, rests upon the central portion of the lower wall of the receptacle 149 and out of contact with either of the contact rings 150 and 151. The receptacle 149 is of material not attacked by the liquid conductor, which is preferably mercury, for example glass, and the contact rings 150 and 151 are insulated from the liquid conductor and from each other when the plate 144 is in horizontal position. In using the device to protect against unbalanced current conditions in several conductors, the windings of the device are designed to be connected in series in the several conductors respectively, and for any condition of current flow in the conductors, as long as the current flowing in each conductor is equal to the current flowing in each of the other conductors, equal pulls are exerted upon the rods 141, 142 and 143 and these pulls are therefore balanced against each other by the connections of the rods to the plate 144 and the plate remains in horizontal position. When for any reason, however, the current flowing in one of the conductors, and therefore throu h the corresponding actuating coil, is of different amount from the current flowing in the other conductors and actuating windings, an unbalanced condition of pulls is produced upon the plate 144 and the plate is tilted a corresponding amount until a balanced condition of forces acting upon it, ohtains. When this unbalanced condition reaches a predetermined amount the liquid conductor 153 flows from its central position in the receptacle 149, suiiiciently towards the outer edge thereof to engage and make electrical connection between the ring contacts 150 and 151, which serves to close the control circuit extending from the Wires 152. It will be understood that the amount of lack of balance beween the magnetic action of the actuating coils rquired to close the control circuit may be determined by the degree of curvature of the bottom of the receptacle 149 and the distance that the ring conductors 150 and 151 are from each other. Each of the dash pots employed in this construction operates to prevent the closure of the control circuit for any momentary lack of balance of the currents flowing in the several conductors, but on the other hand requiring a continuance of the unbalanced condition for an appreciable in 'terval before the device will respond to the unbalanced pulls.

It will be understood that the device shown and described in connection with Figs. 7 and 8 may be employed to protect a desired circuit hav ng a plurality of conductors, against unbalance! voltage conditions between the conductors by properly winding the actuating coils of the device for connection between the conductors of the circuit and that for this arrangement the device responds to unbalanced voltage conditions in the same man nor as described above, to close the control circuit.

In some cases I find it advisible to provide a separate control circuit for each of the conductors of a Inulticond ctor system to be protected against unbalanced voltages or currents of the system.

In Figs. 9 and 10 show a modified construction of unbalanced voltage and current contact making mechanism for use where two voltages or currents are to be maintained in balanced relation and in this construction the receptacle 1495 has two arms and is provided at its ends with contacts as indicated for controlling the operation of either one of two control. circuits and the plate 1440 is provided with diametrically opposite points of connection for two operating rods similar to the rods 141,142 and 143. In this case the actuating mechanism shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is modified so that but two actuating coils are used, which are located on opposite sides of the axis of the plate 1440 to bring the coils in line with the points of connection of the rods with the plate 1440.

It will be understood that the mechanism shown in Figs. 7 and 8 for effecting control for unbalanced current and unbalanced voltage conditions in an electrical system, may readily be adapted to the requirements of any particular case. For example. the number of currents or voltages required by the system to be maintained in balance may be some other number than two or three. In that case, all that is necessary is to provide one actuating coil for each of the currents or voltages required to be maintained in balanced relation, spacing the coils uniformly around the vertical axis of the device, and equally spacing the connections of the operating rods with the equalizing plate in a corresponding manner. The contact receptacle 149 may be used without change for any such case. If, however, a contact receptacle of the type shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is preferred, all that is necessary is to provide it with a number of equally spaced arms and pairs of control contacts corresponding with the number of actuating coils required.

In Fig. 11 I show diagrammatically a three phase alternating current system provided with overload fuses and having a unit circuit breaker construction of the kind above turn connected with the conductors 171, 171a,

1715 extending to the apparatus to be operated, for example a polyphase motor M. The tripping coil 214 of the circuit breaker 10 is connected with conductor 168a by wire 172 and with one terminal of the auxiliar circuit breaker 36 the other terminal of which is connected with wire 178 extending to one or more remote control stations A and B, the return wire 174 from which is connected with wire 171a. The tripping coil 214a is connected by Wire 1720. with wire 1685 and with one terminal of the auxiliary circuit breaker .36athe other terminal of which is connected by wire 17 3a with the wire 1716. The tripping coil 214?) is connected by wire 17% with wire 168 and with the auxiliary circuit breaker 36b the other terminal of which is connected by wire 173?) with wire 171.

The wire 173 extends to a switch or push button 175 the back contact of which is connected by wire 176 with a switch or ush button 177 the back contact of whic is connected with wire 174, the effect of the switches 175 and 177 at the remote control stations A and B respectively, being in their normal position to establish electrical connection between the wires 173 and 174.

As a result of the connections and con struction of apparatus above described when one of the fuses, for example the fuse 17 0, blows due to abnormal current flow through the wire 169, a considerable difference of potential will be established between wires 172?) and 1736, since these wires are connected with wires 168 and 171 respectively in electrical connection with the terminals of the gap formed by the blowing of the fuse 170. With the fuse 170 in place, the voltage drop between the wire 168 and the wire 171 is practically zero, on account of the resistance between said wires being practically zero, for which condition the current flow through the tripping coil 2145 is ractically Zero. When the fuse 17 O blows, owever, a considerable difference of potential is impressed upon the wires 168. and 171, causing suflicient current to flow through the tripping coil 214?) to release the circuit breaker 10b and interrupt connection be tween the wires 16812 and 1693). Edith the circuit breaker 10b in its closed position and the fuse 17012 intact, the current flowing through the tripping coil 21% of circuit breaker 10a is practically zero for the reasons above stated, but upon the opening of the circuit breaker 10?) a considerable difference of potential is impressed upon the wires 172a and 173a, energizing the tripping coil 214a to 0 en the circuit breaker 10a. In a manner similar to that above described, the opening of the circuit breaker 10a impresses a considerable potential difference upon the wires 172 and 174, thus energizing the trip ping coil 214 to open the circuit breaker 10. In this manner the circuit breakers are opened one after another in rapid succession, by the blowing of the fuse 170 in the sequence 10b, 10a, 10. As a result of the circuit break"- en construction above described, the opening of the circuit breaker 107) is immediately followed by the opening of the auxiliarycircuit breaker 366, which opens the circuit of the tripping coil 214?), and the other tripping coils 214a and 214 are similarly opened immediately after the opening of the corresponding circuit breakers 10a and 11'.) by the auxiliary circuit breakers 36a and 36.

It will be noted that the tripping coil connections in any case are made to span a part of the conductor with which the tripping coil is connected including the main contacts of a circuit breaker mechanism and one of the fuses, and that the difierence of potential on the terminals of any tripping coil required .to energize it to release the corresponding circuit breaker mechanism, may result either from the blowing of the corresponding fuse or the opening of the corresponding circuit breaker mechanism.

In a manner similar to that above described the blowing of the fuse 170a results in successive operation of the circuit breakor mechanisms in the sequence 10, 10b. 10a, and the blowing of the fuse 170?) results in operation of the circuit breakers in the sequence 10a, 10, 101).

As a result of the construction described, it will appear that my system provides com plete overload protection for the polyphase circuit to be protected, assuming that any one of the fuses blows foraparticular overload condition, or that the blowing of any fuse results from abnormal current flow in a corresponding conductor due to any reason that may not directly affect the remaining conductors of the system, and that this result is secured Whether any of the remaining fuses blows or not. In this manner the possibility of single phasing action in the motor M is prevented, which action might otherwise occur through the remaining motor conductors being still connected with the supply it will be undemtood that are properly impressed upon them by all of the supply conductors.

The control of the protective apparatus from the remote stations A and B is effected through a wire 178 connected with the wire 171 and extending to normally opcn contacts of the switches 175 and 177. As a result of this arrangement, when either the switch H5 or 177 is operated, it interrupts connection between the wires 173 and 174 and establishes connection between the wire 173 and the wire 178. This results in interrupting the normal connection of the tripping coil 2H and establishing an alternate connection of said trip ping coil between the wire 168a and the wire 171., between which wires there is always a potential dill'erence suiiicient to energize the tripping coil 214 and open the circuit breaking mechanism 10; As above described. the opening of any one of the circuit breakers, results in the opening of the remaining circuit breakers one after another in rapid succession, and thus a complete separation of the protected apparatus from the supply circuit, may be effected from either of the remote control stations A and B. This is a valuable feature of protection in case anything operated by the circuit of the protected system goes Wrong although it may not be of a nature to operate the overload devices, and provides for completely cutting oil the protected system from the supply circuit from any desired point of control, whether near the operated apparatus or not. It will be understood that there may be as many stations of remote control as desired, and that the remote control circuit may be connected with any desired one of the circuit breakers, the only requisite being that the operation of the remote control from any one of the remote control station s, shall energize one of the tripping coils 214, 214a, 2145 to open the corresponding circuit breaker, which in the manner above described Will result in the opening of the remaining circuit breakers one after another in rapid succession. It will be understood that while the overload devices are shown as fuses. they are considered to be the equivalent of any instrumentality that will produce a gap in the conductor through which an abnormal current is flowing, caused by the abnormal current flow.

While the system shown in Fig. 11 is a poly- In Fig. 12 I show a polyphase electric sys-' tem diagrammatically, similar in its general aspects to the system shown in Fig. 11, but provided with more complete protection, the difference being the use of transformers between the sup ly conductors and the protect-' ed circuits an apparatus the use of fuse substitutes as overload and underload devices, the use of an unbalanced current device and the use of a phase reversal device, all having their control circuits extending to tripping coils on the circuit breakers used to protect the system.

In this system the wires 166, 166a, 1666 extend from the generator G to the primary windings 179, 179a, 1796 of a transformer or transformers T, provided with secondary windings 180, 180a, 1806, from the terniinals of which conductors 168, 168a, 1686 extend to and through the windings of the actuating coils 181, 181a, 1816 of an unbalanced current device, to the main contacts of the circuit breakers 10, 10a, 106, the other main contacts of which are connected respectively by wires 169, 169a, 1696 with one terminal of the actuating coils 100, 100a, 1006, the otherterminals of which are connected by wires 171, 171a, 1716 with the windings of a polyphase motor M. In this system, the fuse substitutes for securing protection from overload and underload conditions, are re resented by the windings 100, 100a, 1006. e control circuit from the device 100 extends by wires 182 and 183 to the wire 171 and to one terminal of the tripping coil 215 of the circuit breaker 10 respectively. The other terminal of the tripping coil 215 is connected by wire 184 with one terminal of the auxiliary breaker 36. The other terminal of the auxiliary breaker 36 is connected by wire185 with the wire 168m. The control circuit of the device 100a is connected by wires 186 and 187 with the wire 171a and one terminal of the tripping coil 215a of circuit breaker 10a respectively, the other terminal of the trip ping coil 215a being connected by wire 188 with one terminal of the auxiliary breaker 36a, the other terminal of which is connected by wire 189 with wire 1686. The control circuit of the device 1006 is connected by wires 190 and 191 with wire 1716 and one,

terminal of the tripping coil 2156 of the circuit breaker 106 respectively, the other terminal of said tripping coil bein connected by wire 192with one terminal of the auxiliary breaker 366, the other terminal of which is connected by wire 193 with wire 168.

As a result of the connections just decribed and the construction shown and described in connection with Fig. 4 above, when the current in one of the conductors reaches a predetermined value for which protection is desired, for example in the wire 169, the control circuit represented by the wires 182 and 183 is closed and the potential difference between the wires 168a and171 is impressed on the tripping coil 215, thus causing operation of the circuit breaker 10 and the auxiliary circuit breaker 36 to interrupt connection between the wires 168 and 169 and to also interrupt the circuit of the tripping coils of the circuit breaker 10. Abnormal'current flow in the wire 169a or 1696 similarly operates the circuit breaker 10a or 106 throu h the tripping coil 215a or 2156 by the otentlal diflerence between the conductors 71a and 1686 -or between the conductors 1716 and 168 as the case may be.

The circuit breakers 10, 100, 106 are provided with second tripping coils 214, 214a and 2146 similar to the tripping coils shown,

in Fig. 11 and connected between wires 184 and 169a, wires 188 and 1696, and wires 192 and 169 respectively. The connections described are similar those described above for the tripping coils of the circuit breakers shown in ig. 11 and 0 rate in a similar manner, since each of sa1d trip in coils is connected with the main termina s 0 another one of the main circuit breakers by the connectlons just described by the wires 185, 189 and 193 extending from the auxiliary circuit breakers. It therefore follows that while any one of the overload and underload dev1ces, for example the device 100, only directly causes the opening of one of the circuit breakers, for example the circuit breaker 10, the opening of this circuit breaker in turn causes the opening of another of the circuit breakers which in turn causes the opening of the third circuit breaker, the operation of successively opening the circuit breakers bemg similar to'that described above for Fig. 11 and for the same reasons and with the same results.

The unbalanced current device shown in Fig. 12 1s (provided with contact mechanism of the kin illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, the individual control circuits of which extend by wires 194, 195, wires 196, 197, and wires 198, 199, to the several circuit breakers where wires 194, 196 and 198 are connected respectively with one terminal of the tripping coils 216, 216a and 2166 of circuit breakers 10, 10a, 106, the other terminals of which trippin coils are connected with wires 184, 188 an 192 respectively and thus to the'circuits ex- 

